Job Search Techniques from the Internet's Favorite Pets

Here’s the good news though: those adorable pets might just have taught you some valuable lessons you can apply to your job search. So the next time you find yourself watching the newest cat video, cut yourself a break. Maybe Whiskers can teach you a thing or two about scoring your dream job.

What exactly is it that can you learn from four-legged Internet superstars and apply to your job search? Here are a few lessons from our favorite fuzzy friends.

Be as Enthusiastic as Buttermilk

It can be easy to find yourself burnt out in the process of looking for a great new job. This is probably what drove you into the loving embrace of cat videos and pictures of dogs in Halloween costumes in the first place. But take a page from the playbook of one little goat, and inject your search with enthusiasm.

Buttermilk is a baby goat who has a whole lot of energy to spare. Sure, in the video, Buttermilk jumps all over her goat friends and knocks a few of them over. But this is just because they’re standing still and she has places to go.

In your job search, don’t be one of those goats standing still. Those goats don’t have their own Facebook pages. Instead, put your career passion on display! Don’t be afraid to show off just how excited you are about tackling new projects and learning new skills. Your enthusiasm just might catch the attention of a great employer.

Establish a Strong Personal Brand like Boo

If you know Internet pet phenomena, there’s a good chance you've met Boo the dog. The stylish Pomeranian with the distinctive haircut might look like a plush toy, but that’s probably because he has his own toy line.

Among superstar web pets, Boo is something of a rock star. He has a book deal, over six million Facebook fans, and he’s even worked for Virgin American Airlines. Did you know the airline had an Official Pet Liaison? Well they do, and Boo holds the position. What have you done lately?

So why is Boo so popular? Besides being one of the most ridiculously cute animals on the planet, Boo has a top-notch personal brand. Learn some lessons from Boo and make sure your own personal brand is attractive and professional. Social media tools are at your disposal to help you implement and develop a professional brand for yourself.

Start an industry-specific blog with smart thought leadership, contribute to Twitter chats and make sure your social media profiles tell the right story about your candidacy. You might not end up with six million fans, but you only need one great company to "like" you.

Know Your Niche Like Grumpy Cat

Job hunting might make you grumpy, but odds are you still won’t be as glum as Grumpy Cat. The frowny feline has become an Internet sensation and frequent meme generator. Grumpy Cat, or Tardar Sauce, has more than 2 million likes on Facebook, visited the Today Show, and her likeness even graces clothing and apparel. Grumpy Cat has certainly gone far by playing to her strengths.

In your job search, you should do the same. Not every job you see will be the right fit for your qualifications. Instead of applying for every open position you encounter, regardless of fit, take some time to find out where you belong. Grumpy Cat doesn't have the enthusiasm of Buttermilk, and you have specific skills and strengths you should play to, too.

Look into niche job boards where you’ll be able to cut out the clutter. Instead of weeding through tons of positions not even in your industry, on a niche job board you’ll see only jobs in your particular career field. This way, you waste less time in your job hunt wading through the wrong job descriptions and more time focusing on wowing the right employers. Not even Grumpy Cat could be grumpy about that. (OK, she probably could.)

There’s no harm in getting lost in Internet memes, but while you're looking at the most popular animals in Internet history, make sure you learn a few lessons you can apply to your search. After all, if Boo the dog can land a job, so can you!